Victim’s family: ‘We want to make sure this never happens again’

Klonda Richey killed by two dogs on E. Bruce Avenue in Dayton. (Photo/provided)

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The family of the woman mauled to death by two dogs last week on Bruce Avenue in Dayton said they will work to prevent any future tragedies.

Klonda Richey’s family lives out of state, but was in Dayton on Thursday meeting with police detectives.

Following that meeting, Richey’s brother, sister and nieces told 2 NEWS that, “Klonda was loved by her family,” and that “we want to make sure this never happens again. That’s what she would want.”

Richey was a self-proclaimed animal lover who reached out to Dayton Police, Animal Resource Officers and the Montgomery County Common Pleas Courts after numerous encounters with her neighbor and his dogs. 2 NEWS uncovered records from Montgomery County Regional Dispatch that show she called 911 at least 16 times since January 2013 reporting issues with the pitbull-mastiff dogs and their owner.

Richey also went to court in January 2013 in an effort to get a protection order. A magistrate denied that request.

Last Friday, Dayton Police were called to East Bruce Avenue where they found Richey’s body. Investigators determined she has been mauled to death. The dogs were shot and killed after officers they said they charged. Initially the dog’s owners were arrested and held on reckless homicide charges. They were later released pending further investigation.